Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Storm Slabs.

Avalanche Canada rgoddard, Avalanche Canada

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New snow and warmer temperatures are bringing with them good riding but possible reactive slabs.

Watch for storm slab and wind slab formation and an increase in avalanche activity.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches in the last 24 hours. Storm and wind slab avalanche activity is anticipated to increase throughout the day Sunday as a warming trend arrives late in the day.

Please continue to share any observations or photos on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm is expected to accumulate bettween Friday and Sunday morning. The snow is accompanied with strong south east to southwest winds. Expect wind slabs to form in lee terrain. New snow may not bond well to previous surfaces that include small surface hoar crystals, sugary faceted grains, and hard wind-packed snow.

The snowpack is still fairly thin and faceted, with roughly 1300 cm at treeline.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy, 10 to 20 cm accumulation, 30 to 75 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -8 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with sunny periods later in the day, up to 10 cm accumulation, 30 to 45 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -3 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with possible sunny periods, up to 20 cm accumulation with the possibility of rain, 35 km/h southwest wind with gusts up to 60, treeline temperatures around 0 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, trace accumulation, 20 to 35 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Fresh, cold, low density snow that has been falling since Friday night and is accompanied with variable winds. New storm slabs and wind slabs will have formed. All this new snow may not bond well to previous surfaces and could be easily triggered by riders.

A warm up that is expected to start late Sunday will likely increase avalanche activity.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2022 4:00PM